You might notice tremors and shakes mostly in your hands or fingers. Others report experiencing hangover shakes in their arms, eyes, head, and even their voice. Many people experience shakes and alcohol shakes tremors when they’re hungover, but they’re unlikely to be the same from one person to the next. If you’ve ever exercised right before bedtime, you probably found it harder to fall asleep.
Alcohol Tremors Vs. Essential Tremor
- In both studies, however, it didn’t seem to have an effect on diastolic blood pressure.
- When blood sugar gets low, it can result in shaking, along with other hangover-like symptoms, including sweating and headaches.
- These tremors originate from the brain’s struggle to regulate muscle movement without the calming influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are often more severe for individuals diagnosed with AUD.
Grounding techniques such as the 5–4–3–2–1 method focus on physical sensations to distract your mind from anxiety. Worrying about getting sick, the stress of dealing with medical conditions, or anxiety over routine medical check-ups can cause your body to become so overwhelmed, it begins to tremble. Following these strategies may help, but are unlikely to stop the alcohol shakes fully. When you consume alcohol, it acts as a depressant on your central nervous system.
- With practice, you can relax your body quickly, almost like having ‘liquid relaxation’ poured on your head, flowing down and covering you in a deep sense of calm.
- Research has found that guided imagery works quickly to reduce physiological tension.
- You should combat alcohol withdrawal in a professional rehab center, as quitting alcohol completely on your own can result in dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Understanding the Body’s Response to Alcohol
The severity of shaking can range from mild to intense, depending on factors like the level of alcohol consumed and individual differences in the body’s response to alcohol. Generally, shaking after drinking is a result of changes in the nervous system that may be linked to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Most people find that alcohol withdrawal shakes resolve within a few days of abstaining from alcohol. However, it’s important to note that the cessation of shakes does not mean one has recovered from alcohol addiction.
PositivePsychology.com’s Relevant Resources
But if your stress builds up, or it continues for a period of time, you might carry the tension in your muscles. It is also important to follow any prescribed medication regimen, as medications may cater to specific long-term consequences of alcohol abuse, such as brain damage. A typical progressive muscle relaxation session can last around 10–20 minutes, depending on how much time you spend on each muscle group. Start with shorter sessions, about 5–10 minutes, and gradually extend the duration as you become more comfortable. Know how to quickly engage in muscle relaxation to reduce the physical and emotional intensity of stress as soon as you need to.
